Folding outboard motor cover



Nov. 28, 1961 w. TLDAWSON v 3,010,124

FOLDING OUTBOARD MOTOR COVER Filed Jan. 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l Warren 7. Dawson 1N VENTOR.

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FOLDING OUTBOARD MOTOR COVER Filed Jan. 16, 1958 2 SheetsSheet 2 Fig.6 5,25 33 g 25 3/ 32 Warren 7. Dawson INVENTOR.

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3.010,124 FGLDING OUTBOARD MOTQR COVER Warren T. Dawson, RR. 5, Princeton, Ill. Filed Jan. 16, 1958, Ser. No. 709,325 2 Claims. (Cl. 9-1) This invention relates generally to protective devices and the like for outboard motors and pertains more particularly to a cover assembly of the folding type adapted to be mounted on a boat in partially covering relationship to an outboard motor mounted thereon.

Of primary concern in connection with this invention is to provide a cover assembly particularly adapted for use in connection with outboard motors embodying a generally open framework assembly having flexible covering means thereon and which is adapted to be mounted at the stern of a boat directly adjacent to but forwardly disposed with respect to an outboard motor mounted on the transom thereof and wherein the mounting means for the assemblage incorporates pivot mechanism enabling the cover assembly to be swung between a generally vertical position in which it covers the forward portion of the outboard motor and a generally horizontally disposed out-of-the-way position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cover assembly for outboard motors incorporating a plurality of generally U-shaped rib elements pivotally' attached at corresponding free end portions thereof so that the ribelements may be spread apart in fan fashion or disposed in a collapsed generally coplanar relationship, and wherein the ribs are provided with mounting means for attachment to an associated outboard motor boat including pivot means journaling the ribs for rotation about an axis coincidental with the points of common securement of the various ribs.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved cover assembly particularly adapted for use in connection with outboard motor boats including a plurality of generally U-shaped ribs pivotally attached together at the free end portions thereof whereby the ribs are movable between a position in which the same are disposed in spread-apart relationship and a position in which the ribs are disposed in substantially collapsed coplanar relationship, the ribs being provided with a covering of flexible material which is maintained in taut relationship with respect thereto when the ribs are disposed in the spread position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved cover assembly for outboard motors including a series of nested, generally U-shaped rib elements, all pivotally interconnected at their corresponding free end portions, there being three such ribs provided, all of varying heights so as to be disposed in a collapsed position wherein all ribs are'disposed in coplanar relationship and in a spread-apart position wherein the shortest and tallest ribs are disposed in substantially right angle relationship to each other and with the intermediate rib being disposed intermediate thereof to provide a generally hood-shaped protective cover for an outboard motor.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved cover assembly for outboard motors incorporating a plurality of nested rib elements of varying heights such that the bight portions of the several ribs will provide corner edge portions of a protective hood assembly when the ribs are disposed in spread-apart relationship and wherein such ribs are provided with flexible covering material thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved protective cover assembly for outboard motors which is of simple and economical construction and which will be effective in protecting an outboard motor from spray and the like and which will be also effective to provide a sound bafile alleviating noise conditions in the forward portion of a boat.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the stern of an outboard motor boat showing the instant invention in use thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 1 and illustrating in full and dotted lines respectively, the operative and out-of-the-way positions of the improved cover assembly;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the cover in its operative position;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view partially exploded illustrating the construction of the framework assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing the framework in the collapsed position; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section taken through the mounting means for the cover assembly.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIGURE 1, the reference numeral 10 indicates in general the hull of an outboard motor boat having an outboard motor 11 operatively mounted on the transom 12 thereof in the usual manner by means of any suitable mounting mechanism. In the particular construction shown, the boat includes the. usual breastplates 13 and 14 gusseting the corners defined by the transom 12 and the opposite sides 15 of the boat hull.

Operatively mounted between the breastplates l3 and 14 is the improved protector assembly indicated generally by the reference character 16.

It is to be understood that the instant cover assembly is particularly adapted for use in connection with outboard motor assemblies having remote control mechanisms associated therewith. That is to say, the motor is provided with cable elements attached thereto, not shown, as is conventionally provided for controlling the rudder and the engine speed controls or throttle from a forward position in the boat. The cover assembly 16 is itself movable between the full as is shown particularly in FIGURE 2 and as is also shownin FIGURE 1, the full line position illustrating its position when in operative association with the outboard motor. In this particular position, the cover assembly will not only protect the outboard motor from spray and also from unauthorized tampering with the controls thereof but will also eifectively act as a battle obviating noise in the forward portion of the boat and confining the same in a rearwardly directed relation.

The cover assembly consists essentially of the framework assemblage illustrated in FIGURE 4 and which will be seen to include a plurality of generally U-shaped rib elements pivotally interconnected together so as to be positionable in the collapsed form as is illustrated in FIGURE 5. The several ribs are of varying heights and the shortest rib includes the bight portion 17 and spaced parallel legs 18 and 19, the intermediate height rib element including the bight portion 20 and the spaced parallel legs 21 and 22 and the tallest rib element including the bight portion 23 and the spaced parallel legs 24 and 25. In the operative position, it will be readily apparent that the three ribs are positioned such that the shortest rib is contained within a plane disposed substantially at right angles to the tallest rib and with the intermediate rib being disposed in a plane intermediate these two. The heights of the various ribs are so interrelated that the respective bight portions 17, 20 and 23 present corner portions of the cover assembly so as to and dotted line positions 3 provide a substantially vertical front wall portion 26, the substantially vertical side wall portions 27 and 28 and the upwardly sloping top wall portion 29 the framework being covered with flexible material such as canvas or any other suitable material to provide these wall portions.

The free end portions of each of the legs of the various rib elements are provided with apertured eyes and associated therewith is a pivot bolt 26, see particularly FIGURE 6, serving to pivotally interconnect these several ribs so that they may be disposed in the two positions illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. Also associated with each pivot bolt 26 is a generally L-shaped bracket assembly having the depending leg portion 27 and the generally horizontally disposed arm portion 28, the former of which is apertured to receive therethrough the pivot bolt 26 and between which and the next adjacent eye end of the rib leg 25 is a resilient washer element 30 serving as a friction element normally holding the framework in a predetermined relationship with respect to the mounting brackets.

The horizontal arms portions 28 of the mounting brackets are fixedly secured as by fasteners 31 and 32 to the associated breastplates 13 and 14 and the wing nut 33 associated with each pivot bolt effectively serves to hold the various elements in a desired position.

The various rib elements, by reason of their unequal heights, will permit the same to be disposed in the substantially nested relationship as is illustrated in FIG URE while at the same time will permit the same to be extended in a folded apart relationship such as is shown in FIGURE 4. When the ribs are spread apart in fan-like fashion as is illustrated in FIGURE 4 the flexible covering material will be maintained in taut relationship and in order to maintain the rib elements in the spread-apart position, the shortest and longest ribs have prop assemblies 34 and 35 associated therewith.

Each such prop assembly incorporates an upper leg element 36 and a lower leg element 37, the same being pivotally interconnected as at 38 and pivotally connected at opposite end portions 39 and 40 thereof to the respective legs 19, 25 and 18, 24. When the rib elements are disposed in spread-apart relation, the prop assemblies 34 and 35 are fully extended and the same are folded upon each other as is illustrated in FIGURE 5 when the rib elements are in the nested position.

Consequently, the cover assemblage is not only swingeble from the upright or operative position as shown in full lines in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 to the out-of-the-way position shown in dotted lines in FIGURES 1 and 2 but it also may be disposed in a collapsed position for the purpose of storage or to more adequately provide room for working upon the outboard motor or the like.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a boat having an outboard motor secured to the transom thereof and being provided with a recess formed between the sides thereof immediately forward of said transom for receiving forwardly disposed portions of the power head of the outboard motor when the power head is tilted forward to lift the lower unit out of the water; a cover assembly for protecting the power head of said motor comprising, an upstanding substantially vertical front wall, rearwardly projecting side walls extending from the side edges of said front wall, a top wall secured between the upper edges of said front wall and said side walls, said side walls rearwardly of said front wall and below said top wall being free of connections with each other, means pivotally securing said cover assembly for pivotal securement to a portion of said boat for movement between an upstanding position and a horizontally disposed position forwarly of said motor and received in said recess by an axis extending transversely of and adjacent the rear and lower edges of said side walls and adjacent the top of said transom with said cover assembly disposed forwardly and adjacent said power head, means frictionally retaining said cover in adjusted position about said axis, the rear edges of said side and top walls being coterminous and defining an opening of slightly greater width and height than said power head.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cover assembly includes a generally open framework comprising a pair of generally U-shaped rib elements, said rib elements being normally disposed as to be contained in planes at right angles to each other, an intermediate rib element of U-shaped configuration having its free ends attached to the corresponding free ends of the first mentioned ribs, said intermediate rib being disposed in a plane intermediate the planes containing the first mentioned ribs, said walls comprising a covering of flexible material secured to the opposite sides and bight portions of said ribs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 108,611 Masac Oct. 25, 1870 485,117 Vernon Oct. 25, 1892 739,389 1 Castle Sept. 22, 1903 2,543,597 Peery Feb. 27, 1951 v FOREIGN PATENTS 416,843 Germany Aug. 1, 1925 730,533 France May 10, 1932 

